High Point University honored 1973 alum and national champion coach Orlando "Tubby" Smith during HPU's men's basketball game against Wake Forest on Wednesday night at the Millis Center. Smith played at HPU from 1969-73 and still ranks seventh all-time in scoring.

The game was deemed "Tubby Smith Night" and the Panthers held a halftime ceremony in his honor. A banner was unveiled and Smith was presented a framed replica by HPU president Dr. Nido Qubein and Athletic Director Craig Keilitz. It was the first time High Point has ever hosted an ACC opponent in men's basketball.

"It's an honor to be recognized this way by your alma mater," said Smith. "I want to thank Nido Qubein and Craig (Keilitz) … High Point has meant a lot to me and meant a lot to my family. I met my wife here. I have three sons who are in the business, coaching. It has been a real blessing."

Smith scored 1,589 points over his four seasons at High Point University, averaging 14.7 points and 5.0 rebounds in his career. He posted his best averages of 17.3 points and 5.2 rebounds with a .492 shooting percentage as a senior in 1972-73.

"I was fortunate to play for Bob Vaughn, who recruited me in 1969, then J.D. Barnett who coached me here my junior year, then Jerry Steele, a hall of fame coach," said Smith. "I've been really blessed to be around some outstanding coaches and to coach some quality people."

"I've got to commend my teammates because you don't score by yourself," he added. "It takes other guys to pass the ball or set a screen. Some of them are in the stands right now."

Smith noted teammates John Kirkman, Phil Butler, the late Carlvin Steed, Pete Collins, Steve Allen and Tommy Gill among others. Along with his basketball exploits, Smith was an outstanding sprinter for the HPU track team and helped the Panthers to three conference championships.

Since Smith's collegiate playing days, High Point College has become High Point University and the athletics program elevated from NAIA to NCAA Div. I. Since 2007, the HPU's undergraduate enrollment has increased from 1,450 to 3,800, the campus has gone from 92 acres to 300 and HPU has built more than 20 new buildings.

"Where do you start?" Smith said of the changes. "There's too many to even mention, and the vision that Nido Qubein has for this institution … It's good to know that my alma mater, High Point University, is thought so highly of … It's remarkable, the growth.

"But it's not just about bricks and mortar, it's the people."

Smith went on to become one of the top college basketball coaches in the nation with head coaching stops at Tulsa (1991-95), Georgia (1995-97), Kentucky (1997-2007) and Minnesota (2007-present).

In his first four seasons at Minnesota, Smith's teams won 80 games – the most of any coach's first four years in the history of Minnesota basketball. He led the Gophers to their first Big Ten title game in 2010 and his squad is 8-1 this season.

Smith spent 10 seasons at Kentucky, leading the Wildcats to the 1998 NCAA Championship, four Elite Eight appearances, six Sweet Sixteen appearances, five SEC regular season titles and five SEC tournament titles. His teams averaged over 26 wins per year and he was named National Coach of the Year in 1998, 2003 and 2005.

With the honor, Smith joins Steele, HPU's all-time winningest coach, along with all-time leading scorer Gene Littles, career point-per-game leader Danny Sewell and women's all-time leading scorer Karen Curtis McConico as HPU greats with banners in the Millis Center.